Dec 11, 2015 04:01 PM EST By Russell Westerholm, UniversityHerald Reporter

After a few years away from football, and after being named in virtually every head coaching vacancy, Greg Schiano will return to the sidelines next season.

Citing an unnamed source, ESPN's Adam Schefter learned Schiano agreed to be the next defensive coordinator and associate head coach at Ohio State. Schiano was the head coach at Rutgers from 2001 to 2011, but has not taken another college football coaching job since.

Ironically enough, Schiano is replacing Chris Ash, who left his Ohio State post vacant after agreeing to be Rutgers' new head football coach. Ash is replacing Kyle Food, who replaced Schiano.

True to form, Schiano was tied to multiple head coach openings following the end of the season including South Carolina and Miami, ESPN reported. Schiano was 68-67 overall at Rutgers, but won five bowl games in six years and had a defense consistently ranked among the best in the nation during his tenure.

According to Cleveland.com, Ohio State head football coach Urban Meyer considers Schiano a close friend, but the hiring will help the Buckeyes usher in a new recruiting class. Ohio State will lose two defensive linemen to the NFL this season and Schiano will help Meyer recruit on the east coast, especially in New Jersey.

He was even photographed at Ohio State's practice facility in Columbus talking with an incoming recruit before news of his hiring broke.

See Now: Covert Team Inside Newsweek Revealed as Key Players in False Human Trafficking Lawsuit